Letters to the Editor: ‘I don’t sleep in October’ — on being a Dodger fan right nowI remember the first time I saw Dodger Stadium, I was in fifth grade at a neighborhood school in Los Angeles. My parents had just moved here a few years earlier, so it was only the fourth time I’d been to an opening day.
I went to the game that night, and it was magical. My dad had me and my younger sister in the stands to catch it. There were thousands and thousands of people there, and I was spellbound and in awe. I will never forget the day, and for that reason every time I see a new stadium, I will always feel the same way. From that first night watching the Dodgers in ’79, I’ve been a Dodger fan for more than 40 years.
I’ve gone to games in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York and Cincinnati, but to my knowledge I’ve never seen the baseball in New York. (Actually, I’ve probably seen more Brooklyn and Queens baseball since moving here, but I like to think that I’ve seen enough.)
I would be lying to people around me and say that I didn’t get into the sports-and-entertainment biz because I happened to be a Dodger fan. I’ve had my share of celebrities and sports figures come and go. It’s all been fun for me, because I’ve gotten to know some of the good people and I’ve been able to follow the games for other people who don’t necessarily love baseball and the game as much. But for the most part, I didn’t get into the biz because I had to. I got in because I wanted to. I wanted to watch the games, and, in turn, the game helped me to understand and appreciate the celebrities, athletes, managers, coaches, trainers, owners and players. This was a passion that started when I was a kid, and it’s a passion I’ve still got.
When they talk about a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, that’s what they mean. My “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity is being a Dodger fan in Los Angeles. It’s an opportunity I was not destined for, but I’m happy that it happened.